Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Obama administration is stepping up its defense of this part of the 2010 health law in the face of attacks not only by Republicans in Congress, but by some Democrats, too. Meanwhile, news outlets also report on how the undoing of some health insurance co-ops could bring higher costs to the marketplace.
On Capitol Hill, Lawmakers Weigh Possible Plans To Raise The Debt Ceiling
Some GOP House members are pushing for a bill that would have “strings attached” — some of which include finding savings in Medicare and Medicaid. Many Republicans also are blaming the Democrats and the health law for the failure of the Obamacare co-ops. Meanwhile, 10 House Democrats are urging that Medicare cover the cost of end-of-life discussions.
Ryan Says He Will Agree To Take Speaker’s Job, But Only If GOP Caucus Unifies Behind Him
The House Republicans’ leadership struggle has complicated the fall legislative calendar, which includes must-pass items such as the measure to raise the federal debt limit.
First Edition: October 21, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Cynical Surprise At Co-Ops’ Problems; Bernie Sanders On His Health Plan
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Georgia, Illinois, Connecticut, Nevada, California, North Carolina, Wyoming, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa.
Michigan Lawmakers Seek To Ease Nursing Home Woes With Bills
The bills would address staff shortages, establish nurse-to-patient ratios and prohibit mandatory overtime. Elsewhere, new federal rules could make it easier to sue nursing homes, and the home health industry in Georgia faces its own nurse shortage woes.
Detroit’s Last Remaining Independent Hospital Is Still Open — Barely
Doctors’ Hospital in Pontiac, Mich., nearly closed last month but could be moving toward new private ownership. Meanwhile, news outlets report on other hospital developments in Florida, Georgia and Illinois.
News outlets report on other state-level Medicaid news from Arkansas and North Carolina.
News outlets report on the continuing funding battles related to Planned Parenthood and the Medicaid program.
Landmark Study Finds Talk Therapy Eases Schizophrenia
The chances of easing the symptoms of the mental health disorder increase dramatically when talk therapy and small doses of antipsychotic medicines are used in tandem, a study finds.
Republicans Start Work To Increase Debt Limit, Find New Speaker
And Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is said to be more open to running for speaker of the House. In the meantime, a Nebraska senator is blocking two Department of Health and Human Services nominees over troubles faced by the health-law-created insurers known as co-ops.
Drug Testing Lab Millennium Health To Settle Federal Suit For $256M
The government alleged that the largest U.S. lab-testing company charged Medicare for unnecessary tests and provided gifts to doctors in exchange for referrals. Millennium Health is expected to file for bankruptcy by Nov. 10 as part of a corporate restructuring.
Study Finds Prices Rise When Hospitals Acquire Doctors’ Practices
The research in JAMA Internal Medicine reports that patient prices go up an average of $75 when small doctor practices join hospitals.
Drugmakers Push Specialty Pharmacies To Encourage Prescriptions Of High-Priced Drugs
The specialty pharmacies affiliated with a drug company can relieve physicians of having to deal with insurance issues and therefore make them more willing to prescribe the drugs. In related news, pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie and Sanofi are paying large sums for Food and Drug Administration “priority review vouchers” to help speed new products to market.
Aetna, Humana Shareholders OK Proposed Merger
The deal, however, still faces hurdles, including scrutiny by federal antitrust authorities.
Money Short, Colorado Health Insurance Cooperative To Shut Down
The move to begin ceasing operations comes after an unsuccessful eleventh-hour appeal to get permission to sell 2016 insurance policies. The Colorado Division of Insurance says the insurer doesn’t meet the state’s capital reserve requirements.
Bugs In Healthcare.gov Upgrades Still Being Fixed; Some Features May Be Delayed
With open enrollment two weeks away, federal officials race to finalize improvements to the government’s health insurance website. Meanwhile, many employers are reporting that few of their low-income employees are taking advantage of offered health insurance, due primarily to cost.
Judge Turns Down Administration’s Request For Appeal On House GOP Lawsuit
Federal Judge Rosemary M. Collyer denies the request in a case hinging on whether the House is allowed to sue the administration. The House brought the lawsuit after the government set up health insurance subsidies that Republicans said were not authorized by Congress.
First Edition: October 20, 2015
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
